The 2.06m tall striker is still highly regarded by Nam Định’s coach despite the loss.

Following Thép Xanh Nam Định’s loss to Sông Lam Nghệ An, coach Vũ Hồng Việt acknowledged the team played below their potential and lacked unity. Nevertheless, he complimented the towering striker Kyle Hudlin.

After the loss to Sông Lam Nghệ An, coach Vũ Hồng Việt spoke candidly at the post-match press conference. The Thép Xanh Nam Định manager expressed his disappointment with his players’ performance and took responsibility himself.

He stated that the team only performed well during the first 20 minutes of the first half, after which their spirit and focus noticeably dropped. Coach Vũ Hồng Việt admitted: “It is my fault for not being able to maintain the players’ determination and motivate them throughout most of the remaining time. The entire team played below their level and failed to show their true ability.”

Nonetheless, the Nam Định coach acknowledged the individual efforts of some players. However, those efforts were not enough to change the course of the game. He said: “There were players who performed very well in previous matches, but today they could not demonstrate their true form. They failed to deliver decisive passes or sharp shots that could turn the game around.”

Coach Vũ Hồng Việt also made sure to praise striker Kyle Hudlin, who made a significant impact on Thép Xanh Nam Định’s play. He shared: “Not only in this match, but also in the two previous games, he performed excellently. It’s just unfortunate that today he couldn’t score or assist to help the team change the situation.”

Regarding the opponent, coach Vũ Hồng Việt praised some individuals from SLNA, especially striker Olaha and midfielder Khắc Ngọc. According to him, these two players greatly influenced the game and knew how to exploit Nam Định’s weaknesses thoroughly. Their brilliance made the difference and helped SLNA secure a deserved win.

What worries him most is the mentality of his players. After conceding the first goal, the whole team almost lost confidence, leading to a rapid decline in fighting spirit. He emphasized: “This is a major issue that I must seriously address. I accept full responsibility and will soon find solutions to help the team get back on track.”

Concluding the press conference, the coach stressed that this defeat is a wake-up call: “We lost because our spirit and cohesion were not strong enough. If we don’t fix this immediately, it will be very difficult to defend the championship. Today’s match is a valuable lesson for the entire team moving forward.”